Denial
Definition
Denial is a psychological defense mechanism in which confrontation with a personal problem or with reality is avoided by denying the existence of the problem or reality itself.
Analogy
It's like when you see smoke coming out from under your car hood but choose to believe it’s just steam because acknowledging it could mean expensive repairs. You're denying the reality to avoid dealing with the problem.
Related terms
Regression: This is a defense mechanism where an individual reverts to an earlier stage of development in response to a stressful situation.
Intellectualization: This involves distancing oneself from emotional experiences by focusing on logical and rational aspects of a situation.
Dissociation: This refers to disconnecting from one's thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity, often as a response to traumatic events.
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